Occupational and environmental health
Summary
This course looks at the relationship between our environment - both professional and general - and our health. What hazards are associated with physical, chemical and biological pollutants? How can we assess the risks and prevent them? What health issues are associated with climate change?
Content
This course covers the various stages of risk assessment (identification, evaluation, control) for pollutants frequently encountered in occupational and environmental environments. The properties of these pollutants, their pathways of entry or interaction with the body, their effects, their measurement, and the adequate control/prevention strategies are discussed over the course of the semester. Four main categories of pollutants are covered
- Chemical (gases, vapors, liquids
- Physical (noise, vibrations, thermal environment, non-ionizing radiations
- Physico-chemical (particles, fibers)
- Biological (bacteria, viruses, molds)
At the end of the semester, two cross-disciplinary subjects will be covered, drawing on the concepts covered earlier: the health effects of global warming, and the issue of environmental interventions (interventions in situations of environmental contamination/pollution).
Keywords
Risk assessment, work environment, environmental health, occupational health, exposure sciences, physical, chemical, biological pollutants
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Recommended courses
Environmental chemistry, Analysis of pollutants in the environment, Analysis and management of industrial risks, Ecotoxicology
Important concepts to start the course
Understanding the physical and chemical properties of pollutants.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Identify the risks associated with pollutants in the environment
- Characterize the different types of pollutants and their properties
- Use simple risk assessment tools and methods
- Select appropriately skills or methods to manage a particular risk
- Assess / Evaluate exposure situations
Transversal skills
- Make an oral presentation.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures, group exercises and presentations
Expected student activities
Participate actively in the course and exercise session
Prepare and present a case study of a practical problem
Assessment methods
Presentation of a case study during the semester (in groups or individually, depending on the number of students) (1/3)
Oral exam (individually) (2/3)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | No |
| Forum | Yes |
Resources
Bibliography
The Occupational Environment: its evaluation, control and management. 3rd ed. AIHA Press. 2011.
Environement et santé publique: fondements et principes. 2nd ed. Presses de l'EHESP, 2023
Ressources en bibliothèque
- The Occupational Environment: its evaluation, control and management. 3rd ed. AIHA Press. 2011
- Environnement et santé publique: fondements et pratiques, Presses de l'EHESP, 2023
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional